India, Oct. 3 -- It was indeed a special birthday for Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain. The athlete, who turned 29 on October 2, clinched her first Asian Games gold medal in the 75 kg boxing category. Speaking exclusively to HT City, an elated Lovlina said, "Bohot jyada acha lag raha hai. Mera Asian Games ka first gold medal hai, and mera birthday hai yeh bohot badi gift hai ki mein apne aap ko gold medal de paayi... Japan mere liye bohot jyada special tha." Lovlina is surely beaming with happiness now, but she confesses that she didn't have "much expectations" while entering the tournament. "Gold medal mere liye bohot jyada special hai. Lekin mere liye sabse bada baat tha ki mein apni game ko enjoy karr paaun kyunki mein iss baar bohot jyada expectation ke saath nahi aayi thi. Mujhe bas apne game ko jeena tha. Mein enjoy karr rahi thi aur 100% dene ki koshish karr rahi thi. Mujhe lag raha tha ki agar mein 100% duungi toh mein kisiko bhi maar sakti huun," said an emotionally overwhelmed Lovlina. It is a historic win for Lovlina and for India. It is after 14 years that the country has secured a gold medal in the boxing event at Asian Games. It was Mary Kom who won the last gold medal for India at the Asian Games in 2023 in Hangzhou, China. Talking about how she feels to be compared with Mary, she said, "Mere liye Mary di already legend hai. Mein unko apne saath compare nahi karna chahti huun. Unka alag journey hai mera alag journey hai. Mein bohot jyada respect karti huun unko aur mein koshish karti huun unke jaisa banu aur humaare desh ko bohot saara medal duun." When asked to sum up the whole feeling of hearing the National Anthem and seeing the Indian National Flag being hoisted during the medal ceremony, she said it was a dream-come-true moment. "Harr athlete ka sapna rehta hai ki national anthem baja paayein podium finish karke.. Commonwealth me meine yeh miss kiya tha, but iss baar m arr paayi. Toh mere liye yeh bohot jyada special tha."...